I so agree! It's so easy to put the entire blame on one person. Do you really think that our President can control everything? There are so many factors that determine everything from gas prices to the value of the U.S. Dollar.

Look, I saw that moron say at a Press Conference a week or two ago that he's in favor of a strong dollar but there was no follow up (coming from the same lips who claimed he had not heard that projections for gasoline were it would soon be $4/gallon)...

Without being political, just economics, how do you fund a war economy and then lower taxes on the rich???? Doesn't make sense to me and obviously contributing to the deficit or am I missing something there?

Is it solely his fault...of course not but you have to admit his incompetence and lack of economic knowledge other than what he's fed by his Haliburton friends is playing a role in the destruction of the US economy. What we can argue about is to what degree.

I'm a big contributer too in a zillion ways! Whenever I'm buying a pint of milk, train ticket, whatever. And nobody asked me to help finance the wars and killings of this moron. (that's infact the correct word). And he can keep the inflation he generates and exports to himself too.

I disagree. The president and his administration has a lot to do with our failing economy. That moron's war in Iraq has caused us to go ONE TRILLION DOLLARS MORE (at least) into debt to Asia. Plus every other bone head and illegal thing he has done in the last 7 years to wreck our economy.

Only impeachment followed by the extradtion to The Hague would restore my belief in the american democracy.

"$200 US will last me a lot further in the States than $200 Canadian in Canada."

ever visited New York or San Francisco ????

Relax Logos...

In only 317 this dark era of American history will be behind us....

Totally agree about the moron and his asinine policies but given that there is nothing that will change by this summer when I want to go to Europe I decided to look at some actual numbers, to see how bad it really is.

I looked at what I've spent, on average, in Euros, the last few years. Then I projected for the trip I want to take this year. The hotels I'm looking at are about 10% more than previous trips, don't know if that's inflation or just the areas I'm going to. But anyway, doing that I figure my costs this year (assuming 1.55 exchange rate) will be about $500 more than last summer when the exchange rate was 1.33. And really, people were not all screaming about that rate. And airfare is going to be about $200 more than the last few years. And that isn't the fault of the exchange rate. All in all - about $700 more.

So what is $700 - about $2 a day. So for the next year I could not buy coffee out (except that I already don't do that, but you get my drift). There are plenty of ways to save that difference that the falling dollar will cost us. It's a lot harder for those of us who were already budget travelers, but it seems that anyone who says they aren't going to Europe JUST because the exchange rate really sucks this year, probably doesn't value their European experiences all that much.

And another thought - those who say they'll travel in the US instead, have you projected costs for that trip? With $4/gal gas any driving trips will be plenty expensive. Airfare is going up domestically as well as transatlantic.

And many areas in the US have hotel prices far more expensive (for the same quality) as European hotel prices. Obviously NY and Boston and San Francisco are very expensive, but look at prices in places like Charleston SC or Portland Maine - if you want to stay in the historic centers, they are pretty damn high too. I have to question if trips to those places are "worth" it.

People are complaining about a McDonalds meal in Europe cost $10. Well here it's $7 and it's not worth $7 or 10. Just as easy in Europe to buy some fresh bread and fruit and cheese. I know you can do that here too, but it just isn't the same.

And then there are admissions - anyone been to MOMA in NY lately? $20 a ticket. The poster who complained that the Uffizi is now $20, are you saying it's not as good as the museum of modern art in NY?

The Uffizzi is wonderful and well worth it but there are many museums here and at $20 (10 Euro admission and 3 euro reservation) a shot you cant see them all. On Friday nights you can get into MOMA free. To eat in MOMA you have your choice of restaurants at different price points. All the other NYC museums have suggested contributions.

NExt time I will try eastern europe or parts of the US and use priceline.

yeadonite--We visited Italy in Jan. and i agree with you about admission prices to museums. I was castigated here by a number of people when I commented on this and what the poor exchange rate does to entrance fees. The issue is not that the cultural experience is not valuable, it is just that when one keeps putting out several admission fees a day, day after day after day, the costs do add up.

I've been traveling overseas every year for almost 20 years, neglecting my home to do so. This year I bought all new appliances instead (they served me well for 18 years). I'm glad I had the chance to travel, and have no plans to do so until the dollar gains some strength. As time goes by, I want more to stay in nice places, take taxis, and enjoy restaurants. As for shopping, I only shopped in Hong Kong and Thailand; in Europe, it was mostly kitchen magnets. The idea of vacation, for me, is not to scrimp -- been there, done that.

Most of the time I've used frequent flyer tickets. If enough people stop traveling to Europe because of the declining dollar, perhaps there will be more FF seat available.

In 2000 Bill Clinton pushed through Congress legislation to normalize trade relations with China and have them join the WTO. This he signed into law in Oct 2000. China joined the WTO on Oct 11, 2001. Please follow the dollar value against the Euro since that date. http://bigpicture.typepad.com/photos...o_v_dollar.png.
http://www.econbrowser.com/archives/...ur_18sep07.png
And not solely pointing blame at Clinton, the Republican Congress and many business leaders approved of this.

The price of the Euro has risen above my means, so we are traveling in the the U.S. now. I haven't been to Philadelphia for over 20 years, but my friend and I attended the Philadelphia Flower Show this week and had a great time in Phillie. The historical sites, the neighborhoods and the restaurants were great! Maybe the rise in the Euro is a blessing in disguise --- we can get to know more of the U.S.!

julies - Thanks so much for sticking up for me, you put my thoughts into words. Other countries have certain nights or days free. I have not seen that here. Have these people been here in the last 6 months? I have been travelling to Europe since the early 1980's and I dont remember it being this bad. I have more money than before but feel very poor here. It is not only the exchange rate but also the cost of goods. At 1 Euro to 1 dollar it would still be a little pricey but at this rate it is really high!! FYI -I also live in NYC.

Guess it is a question of value for money, a subjective calculation at best. Several years ago we started a tradition of taking each niece to Paris as she finished high school. The last trip was two years ago when the exchange rate was not as horrid as it is currently. Have to admit that I am grinding my jaw as I wait for fares to come down a bit (and beginning to doubt they will) and looking more carefully at posts about good but economical restaurants, but this niece in particular has been looking forward o the trip for years so no way will we redirect to an alternate, cheaper destination.
We go the apartment route, not only because it is less costly than hotel rooms but also because it is a more comfortable arrangement. It offers economies beyond housing cost - for example, being able to stock the refrigerator with drinks and snacks from the grocery store versus buying at concession stands, or having some meals in rather than at a resto.
Some things we choose despite cheaper options - for example, getting to the airport via public transport is a bit cheaper (for multiple passengers) than a taxi but it is worth paying the higher fare for the door to door convenience. If funds were that tight we could do public transport, but it's a personal decision. Same thing attraction admissions - since this is intended to be a trip that opens the eyes of the next generation to the joy of travel I can't see allowing the difference of a few dollars to diminish the experience. Not being a Rockefeller, unfortunately, there are some things that do get culled, most often shopping for anything other than simple souvenirs. Allowing one self indulgent purchase (niece #1 still wears her high fashion Paris shoes, even shares them with her sister) both teaches about making such choices and creates a nice trip memento.

P.S. LOL about the earlier post re: having coffee at home and using the savings to fund travel. Net savings was one of my justifications for buying a high-end machine. Let's see, if I have 2 or 3 per day, at a savings of at least $3 each, over a year I should recoup a nice portion of the trip cost. Off to make another cappuccino!

Jon Stewart showed a tape of THE MORON in one of the 2000 debates with Gore, in which he decried the Clinton Administration’s lack of a coherent energy policy. Oil was then at $31 a barrel. It’s now over $100 a barrel.

The recession we’re now in is the capstone to Bush’s systematic attempt to destroy any vestige of the American Dream.

He is an American Nightmare that I hope one day to awaken from.

"In 2000 Bill Clinton pushed through Congress legislation to normalize trade relations with China and have them join the WTO. This he signed into law in Oct 2000. China joined the WTO on Oct 11, 2001. Please follow the dollar value against the Euro since that date"

Clinton didn't "have China join the WTO" China was allowed into the WTO once all the other members - including the world's serious international trader, the European Union - agreed.

The US and EU imposed the same conditions on China. The US - as always, the most hostile rich country of all to free trade - has invoked those conditions far more often than Europe.

The Euro has risen <b> while Europe shows far greater openness to foreign trade than the US</b> Our governments don't tell European women how many Chinese bras they can buy, to protect non-existent bra factories. Our governments don't stop lower-paid foreign truck drivers from transporting their countries' products into our countries.

Why are so many Ameriocans so ignorant of the outside world they can't get it into their narrow-minded skulls <b> We all buy goods from China </b>

THe rest of us, though, don't need to devalue our currencies to welch on the debts we owe China as a result.

actually flanneruk...your hatred of the USA comes through even when you're not completely correct...actually the only currency against which the US$ has not lost much ground in the last month or two is.....the pound so I guess the pound has the same afflictions as the dollar or perhaps the British people have the same outlook as the Americans.....

Some objectivity please and we can have a dialogue......

I should have separated my statement into two parts. The legislation Clinton pushed to normalize trade relations with China and the effort by Clinton to have China join the WTO. The statement &quot;while Europe shows far greater openness to foreign trade than the US&quot; is so full of emotion and so lacking in reality it's sad. This is my last statement I'll make on the subject as the Fodor's FAQ asks us not to carry on political discussions. And I apologize to all Fodorites for my abuse of this forum. I was trying to present facts not politics.

I remember a story - back around 2000 when the dollar was much stronger - Amercians in Italy were just spending money like mad - having huge meals, numerous bottles of wine, buying things left and right. With a stronger currency I tend to spread (spend) the money around a lot more than when weak. Not only have I curtailed my spending in the US because of the gloomy economic forecast but also when abroad.

As for the white house influencing the fed - during the Clinton years Greenspan met with Clinton once a month - while during the Bush administration, Greenspan and Bernacke have met with Dubya and Cheney 4 times a month. Do I suspect the White House is influencing economic policy - yes.

All I know is this is very bad timing. Just as I start to embark on my plan to work 3 months and travel for 3 months. It really is beginning to make me think I might not swing it. Even the bare bones tiny studio apartments in Paris are now as much as the mortgage on my big house in Georgia. Luckily I can eat and drink some of the time in my friend's cafe. I have literally been tossing and turning due to the spiral downward. I am very thankful for all the travel I have done and will never regret one euro spent traveling no matter what.

gg

We are doing a 13 day trip out of Rome in April. The strength of the Euro against the dollar is painful for us. I'm sure we won't buy quite as much, but our real cutback will be that we will have to wait longer for our next trip. I have 70 Euro saved from a trip 2 years ago, and I sure wish I'd have bought more.

This is a problem Australians have experienced for many years now. The exchange rate 1.64 to the Aussie dollar. And still Australians continue to travel to Europe. My best tip is to stay in self catering apartments - you can save a fortune catering for yourself, and still eat out occasionally.

Hi travelme, regarding tickets for South America check with wholesalers. I buy my tickets at Vista South America
www.vistasouth.com (with the Chief Sales Person who is a woman)
and get good prices. Of course there are other wholesalers.
What I mean shop around.
I am glad you enjoy going there and that I had been of some help in some postings. Good luck.

Just saw the Swiss Franc and the US dollar are 1:1. I've been watching this exchange rate closely over the past 20 years and I've NEVER seen it this low. The closest was 1.10.

I'm going to the States this summer so it's good news for me!

I am going to Bermuda this summer which isn't cheap for eating out at all but at least the their dollar is pegged to ours. We do self catering there and found an apart for 130 a night with a pool. Coming from the North East, the prices in Bermuda aren't that outrageous.
I do have my heart set on Portugal at some point but that wont happen until the dollar improves. Go Hillary or Obama!

You're premature...USD and CHF are not quite at par yet...according to oanda at 0644 EDT 10/03/08, USD = 1.028 CHF....

But give it time....pretty soon thanks to an economic policy that is destroying the economy, perhaps the USD will soon be on par with JPY!

Keep it up guys.

I think the US$ is going great-guns at the moment! As an Aussie, I have long suffered unfavourable exchange rates, in addition to expensive long-haul flights to Europe.

The Aussie dollar is currently about $1.07 to the US$. A few years back it was over $1.40. It's also up against the Pound at $2.17, compared to over $2.70 when I went to the UK about 7 years ago.

I've decided to go to the US this time, but not because of the exchange rate - that's just a bonus. The main thing that prompted me to go was finding cheap airfares saving about AU$700 flying Jetstar via Hawaii.

Affordable travel can be about smart planning. My friend and I are travelling to the US in August (peak summer) and paying a total $2291 including taxes to travel:
- Adelaide-Sydney-Hawaii-Los Angeles
- LA-Vegas
- Vegas-Boston
- Boston-DC
- DC-NYC
- NYC-LA
- LA-Hawaii
- Hawaii-Sydney-Adelaide

Normally, it can cost about $2300 just to fly to the US (or Europe) return. Another friend from work is going to the US in May (not peak season) and visiting the same number of destinations as I (swap Boston and DC for SF and Memphis) and she is paying around $4000 for her airfares. I don't think I'd be going for that price.

Australian home loan rates are now starting to hit 9% and have been steadily climbing.

I agree with you speckles, for once the rates are in our favour so there may be many more Aussies around Europe this year. To those fortunate Americans who are able to travel regularly to Europe count your blessings , for the average Australian at the cost of $25000 for a family of four for a month in Europe, this is one trip of a lifetime!!! (and thats still with good exchange rates, self catering apartments and limited shopping)

Now the only way that I could go to Europe would be to go on a tour(heaven forbid). From time to time I receive offers from a local travel agent that specializes in Italy. The meals, at least two per day, are included. I might consider this as an option to visit lets say, Sicily. Tours really aren't my thing but it might be an option for some of you.

travelme...

Question..have you ever been on a tour? I have read some great (and also not so great) things about tours in Italy and the rest of Europe for that matter...you might be pleasantly surprised...(we went on a tour of Italy called Italy Bellissimo and it was fantastic...food was great...there were plenty of included things...the optional dinners and tours were fantastic...the tour director was great and there was plent of free time! I feel I did quite a bit more than I could have done on my own at a far better price but as you said tours might not be for everybody.